Where are you currently based?
Sydney, in the inner west.
What’s been happening recently?
I just got back from playing Alone At Last in New York. I got to perform at Club Cumming, it’s an east village cabaret bar owned by Alan Cumming who I met at last year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival when he was Artistic Director. I also just landed the lead role in Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical, so I’ve had my head in that script daily.
You’re playing for the first time solo at the upcoming Adelaide Cabaret Festival, how did this show come about for you?
I put it together for the Adelaide Fringe Festival after receiving their artist grant. I wanted to make something that took from the big glamorous ensemble shows people would recognise and intertwine them with a concert of original music. What was a surprise for me was realising so many big moments in my life on stage started with shows in Adelaide – I feel incredibly at home on stage with this concert, so many people in Adelaide, maybe without even knowing my name, have watched me on stage over the past decade – it feels a little like a thank you letter and a reintroduction.
What do you have in store for us?
Me and grand piano.
How will you prepare for this show considering it’s your first solo show?
I will practice the aforementioned piano.
Who are you looking forward to seeing perform at the festival?
It’s all about Imogen Kelly for me. Queen of burlesque, queen of everything quite frankly.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Honestly? Anthony Warlow but that’s for the musical and has ruined my Spotify algorithm which would otherwise be playing Jesse Ware and Roisin Murphy exclusively.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Medium Quarter Pounder Meal with a coke and also a Mcflurry with hot fudge. And at home.
Show details:
BRENDAN MACLEAN
ALONE AT LAST
AT ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL
BANQUET ROOM, ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE
THURSDAY JUNE 16 AT 7:30PM
TICKETS: ADELAIDECABARETFESTIVAL.COM.AU
Adelaide Cabaret Festival socials: Facebook @adelaidecabaretfestival / Instagram @adelaidecabaret / Twitter @AdelaideCabaret #AdCabFest
Brendan Maclean socials Instagram: @macleanbrendan